How to Host a Hygge Party This Winter
Happy New Year from Park City! We’re spending January here skiing even though it’s cold. Cold. Like a below-freezing cold. Park City is a ski resort, so cold weather comes with the territory. Right? Just because it’s freezing out doesn’t stop me from entertaining our friends for a casual dinner in our home. After all the fancy Christmas parties, it’s time to entertain more simply in January. Today I’m sharing with you how to host a Hygge party.
This post is sponsored by J.Jill. All opinions are my own.
What is Hygge?
Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.
As an interior designer, I have written about how to create a Hygge home, but the concept is the same when you’re hosting a Hygge dinner party. It’s all about warmth, food, and fellowship.
How to host a Hygge Party
Hosting a hygge party is about being casual and unfussy. Your menu should consist of hearty comfort foods and simple appetizers. A hearty meal to keep your toes warm and the chill outside.
Set the Table for Your Hygge Party
Think “cozy and warm” in front of the fire while the snow falls outside. If you don’t want to have a fire going, then add lots of candles for your party.
When deciding on what you’re serving for your hygge party, you also need to create a warm, inviting environment for your guests. Hygge decor for the table is all about nature and simplicity. I am using everyday ware, not fancy china. The pine floral is also seen in the rest of my home, as well as the cute little owl. I put wine bottle jackets on the wine I am serving for fun. The table decor should be simple, not fancy. I would have put some on the table if I had low candles.
I am most in my element when I am serving delicious comfort food and cocktails when I entertain my friends and family in the winter. Lots of good food, wine, and conversation.
Learn more about Hygge on this blog post.
6 Tips for Creating a Perfect Relaxation Space in Your Home
The Hygge Party Menu
Appetizer
Nothing is more straightforward than serving your guest at your hygge dinner party than a charcuterie board filled with delicious cheeses—meats, crackers, fruit, olives, and nuts.
Main Course- Osso Buco
This is my favorite winter comfort food. Veal shanks are the traditional meat for osso buco, and probably what you’re familiar with seeing on restaurant menus. But the shank portion of several animals can benefit from this same preparation. You’ll want to use shanks for this; otherwise, it’s not Osso Buco.
Ingredients for Osso Buco
- 4 ounces pancetta, diced into 1/4 inch cubes (Do not use bacon!!)
- 2 1/2 to 3 pounds veal shanks (4 to 6 pieces 2 to 3 inches thick)
- 1/2 cup diced carrot (1/4-inch dice)
- 1/2 cup diced celery (1/4 inch dice)
- 1 medium onion (1/4 inch dice)
- 2 tablespoons chopped garlic (about 4 cloves)
- 3 to 4 sprigs of fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 to 2 cups chicken or veal stock
- Flour for dusting the meat before browning
- Salt and pepper
Instructions:
-
Heat a Dutch oven on the stovetop over medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add pancetta to pan, cook, stirring occasionally. When the pancetta is crispy, and most of the fat has been rendered (about 5 minutes of cooking), remove the pancetta to a plate covered with some paper towel and set aside. If necessary, drain off all but two tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
-
Dredge the shanks in flour, brown in the pan: Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the shanks on each side until well browned (about 5 minutes per side). Remove the shanks to a plate set aside.
-
Add the onions, carrots, and celery to the Dutch oven. Cook the onion mixture, frequently stirring until the onions are translucent (about 5 minutes), and toss in the garlic and thyme.
Continue cooking until the vegetables begin to brown (about 10 minutes).
-
Add the shanks and the pancetta back to the pan. Pour in the wine, and then add enough stock to come a little more than halfway up the sides of the shanks.
Bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and put it in the oven to cook until the meat is tender about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
You can serve Osso Buco with mashed potatoes, risotto, polenta, or pasta. I love risotto with my Osso Buco.
Serve with a Salad.
After Dinner Drink- White Russian
Instead of dessert for my hygge party, I’m serving an after-dinner drink, the White Russian.
The White Russian is a decadent and surprisingly easy-to-make cocktail. Combining vodka, Kahlúa, and cream and serving it on the rocks creates a delicious alternative to adult milkshakes. This is my mother’s favorite cocktail!
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces vodka
- 1 ounce Kahlúa
- 1 splash heavy cream
Instructions:
-
Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice.
-
Top with heavy cream and stir.
In My Element with J.Jill
I am always in my element wearing J.Jill. Their clothes are easy, relaxed, and inspired style for women. The newest collection from J.Jill is about back to the basics with effortless style. This collection is full of beautiful pieces that are the building blocks of your wardrobe. For entertaining a casual hygge party, J.Jill has so many beautiful pieces to choose from. 
I am wearing the Cozy Open-Front Cardi in the cream and navy stripe! It’s a soft and cozy alternative to a light jacket and an easy outfit maker. Designed in an easy shape with a fluid drape, it’s great paired with tops, tees, tunics, and your favorite pants, jeans, and leggings. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have pockets which I know many of you like. The cardigan also comes in navy. For size purposes, I am wearing a medium even though I can wear a small cardigan.
Another basic essential is a tee shirt. I selected the Pima Crew Long-Sleeve Tee in white with the cardigan. However, I could have chosen the navy tee or the green one to go with the cardigan because I am wearing the Paisley Diamond Scarf.
Style Tip: Do not be afraid to mix patterns if you have a color in both. Stripes are the best patterns to go with anything! Think of them as a neutral pattern!
I am also wearing the Winter Stacked Earrings from J.Jill, which you may not see clearly. Simple earrings that are perfect for my casual style from J.Jill.
Are you looking for a great pair of jeans? J.Jill has so many great jeans to select from, but I chose the Authentic Fit Slim-Leg Jeans to wear. The jeans come in four colors, but I am wearing the Neptune Wash in size 8.
Use my Promo Code: ROBIN 20 TO GET $20 off purchase of $80 more until 1/12/2022!!
Today I am partnering with J.Jill on Instagram to give a $100 Gift Card to one lucky person! If you want to enter the giveaway, you have to follow @jjillstyle on Instagram and comm
Thank you for stopping by today!
I hope you can enjoy a hygge dinner party sometime soon, in J.Jill style, of course!
This post contains affiliate links that may earn income fo Hello I’m 50ish.
It has been cold here in NY too, so I love the idea of a hygge party with plenty of comfort food and drinks (though I’d have a hard type skipping dessert)! Your J.Jill cardigan looks perfect for a night in. I often get too warm when I’m cooking, and then chilly when we sit down to eat, so I love having an open front cardigan that I can grab and snuggle in. Xo Nipa
Nipa,
You will love hosting a Hygge party this winter!
Casual and effortless entertaining!
Hearty soups and a salad are all you need for the main course!
Yes, I can’t cook in a sweater so I love a cardigan for my extra layer!
I think most of our entertaining here in New Zealand could be considered “hygge.” We have a very low key, casual lifestyle here. Your menu certainly looks fabulous though!
I have never been to New Zealand. It’s on my list to see once we can travel again.
I bet entertaining is very low-key there!